Traverse City: Tasters Guild Auction at Northwestern Michigan College

On the evening of February 25, the campus of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City becomes a strolling dinner party. The international dishes that guests are treated to are courtesy of the students of Traverse City’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute whose skill is the backbone of this fabulous fund raising event for their Traverse City program.

The Traverse City evening features multiple cuisines served at more than a dozen tasting tables throughout the Great Lakes Culinary Institute Campus, as well as Northern Michigan wines and regional and international wines. Net proceeds of this benefit auction go toward academic scholarships, books and equipment for students of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City

The auction is the highlight of the evening—and this year’s auction will feature more parties than ever before. Here’s a sneak preview:

Turn up the heat: Grill master and Great Lakes Culinary Institute Director Fred Laughlin will teach you some new tricks with the tongs. Watch as he performs amazing feats and perfect grill marks for eight people in your home – then enjoy scrumptious dining. All food is included and wine is courtesy of the Tasters’ Guild.

It’s a blast: Gather 24 family and friends to enjoy the National Cherry Festival finale fireworks from your very own viewing tower, Lobdell’s second-floor restaurant overlooking West Bay. A perfect view (and parking) for this spectacular Traverse City tradition. Stunning appetizers and wine selections will surely compete for your ooohs and ahhhs!Summer Lobster Boil: The beach in front of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute is the destination for this memorable evening. Ten people will enjoy a traditional lobster boil and the works, paired with wines and an incredible view of West Bay.Ultimate Super Bowl Party: You and 23 of your friends will enjoy upscale tailgate cuisine before and while watching the 2012 Super Bowl on three widescreen televisions in Lobdell’s Teaching Restaurant. Transportation to and from Lobdell’s will be provided

The Tasters’ Guild Auction is the major fund-raising event for the Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. About 70 people attended the first event, held in 1995 at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City. The Tasters Guild Auction was moved to the Great Lakes Institute’s home on Northwestern Michigan College in 2004. Today some 500 attendees enjoy international cuisines and fine wines prepared and served by Great Lakes Culinary Institute students.

The Tasters’ Guild raises about $35,000 annually and has raised almost $300,000 cumulatively for students in the American Culinary Federation-accredited program, whose main emphasis is to prepare students for entry-level chefs and kitchen management positions.

Tickets are $45 per person and available online at nmc.edu /culinary and at the Great Lakes Campus of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City and Folgarelli’s Market in Traverse City.